The story of the messed up, insanely busy life of a single mother who lost herself somewhere along the way. Follow along with my quest to find me, learn to say "no", keep my sanity, and make life better and more enjoyable for not only myself, but my children and those around me.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

The Story Behind My Ink

This is my first tattoo. I went with a place easily covered (lower back) because it is somewhat of a private thing for me. When I do show it to people, their eyes are first drawn to the rose. Then they drift down to the years and get the "WTF!?!" look on their faces. What do they mean? Why would you get years tattooed on your body!? Well...this is why.

My grandmother was always the one I considered "the rock" in my life. I had a special bond with her that I still don't completely understand. When she passed away in 2005 it sent me on a downward spiral of depression and was (to me) the beginning of 2 1/2 years of my private hell.

Fast forward to Spring 2007 . I had started divorce proceedings (finally, after a year of knowing we were going to divorce) and was really feeling the need to do something for me. I had long wanted a tattoo but never could quite decide what I would get. I was really taking stock of life life at that point and determining where I was, where I wanted to be, and what I wanted from life. I decided that since a tattoo is a forever thing it needed to be something of extreme importance to me. Since the memory of my grandmother still guides my choices, I decided to honor her memory with my tattoo. The rose was her favorite flower, especially in full bloom. I chose to add the years of her birth and death as my living memorial to that woman whose life still guides my path. It is also my permanent reminder that time flies and you need to make life what YOU want it, not what others want for you.

When I was deciding whether or not to get a tattoo a friend told me that when you get your first one you will either not like it or you will start planning for your next tattoo because you love it that much. I guess I fall in the latter category. I would love to get another tattoo but still haven't found one that will be symbolic for me. I'd love to splurge and have a tattoo done by the boys of "Miami Ink". But that's a whole other post! :)

Now take your cup-a joe and skip on over to Sunshine's to read everyone else's stories!

Awwww thats awesome! My oldest g-daughter said "Gmom can I have your ashes after you crossover because I want you with always." Shes' 14. I believe tats should say or mean something yours is right there.

I want to be honest CB, and say that as I was reading it, I wondered how getting a tattoo on your lower back is an appropriate way to honor someone's memory and then I read your post again. I love that you did this. It truly is a beautiful gesture.

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About Me

I'm an insanely busy mother to three with 3 children in sports, one dog, one job,going back to college in January and a phobia that people will not like me that I'm doing my best to overcome. I'm working on being like Rhett Butler and taking "frankly my dear, I don't give a damn" as my mantra.
I'm looking to take back control over my life, meet new people, and raise my children to be unafraid, independent thinkers.
2008 is my year to be brave and take back my life. Change for the better is the key phrase of the year. Follow the changes on my blog, which is one of the steps I've taken to be brave and not let fear control me.